Advertisement

Starting 5: St. Xavier swimmer Thomas Mercer qualifies for US Olympic Team Trials and more

Ryan Black, Louisville Courier Journal
·6 min read

Editor’s note: An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated where specialist Cooper Ranvier goes to school. He attends Frederick Douglass High School.

St. Xavier star swimmer Thomas Mercer will have a chance to represent the United States on the world's biggest stage next year.

Mercer, who helped St. Xavier win its 35th consecutive KHSAA state title in February, posted a time of 4:24.93 in the 400 IM at the Summer Sizzler Meet in Nashville, Tennessee, Thursday morning. That time sealed a spot in next year's U.S. Olympic Team Trials, which will be held at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis from June 15 to 23, 2024. The men's 400 IM heat and final will both be held on June 16.

Mercer is looking to become the second male swimmer from St. Xavier to ever compete in the Olympics: Clark Burckle placed sixth in the 200-meter breaststroke in the 2012 Games in London.

St. X had four swimmers qualify for the 2021 Olympic trials.

Best of the best: These are the top athletes to come out of St. Xavier High

Around the city: UK soccer commit signed to Louisville City FC roster

Those who want a preview of what Jabari Rasheed will bring to the Kentucky men's soccer program simply have to head to a Louisville City FC game.

Rasheed, who stars for North Hardin High and committed to UK in April, is now a member of Louisville City FC. The team signed Rasheed to a USL Academy contract on Thursday.

“I’m so grateful to (Lou City coach) Danny Cruz for this opportunity and the team for pushing to be able to accomplish this,” Rasheed said in a statement. “I’m ready to keep working!”

USL Academy contracts allow prospects to train and play with professional teams while retaining their NCAA eligibility. He is the fifth player — along with Issac Cano, Colin Elder, Alex Kron (another UK commit) and Travis Smith — from LouCity’s youth system to sign a USL Academy contract.

Rasheed lifted LouCity Academy to the Dallas Cup 19U championship this spring.

'It's just gonna be about leadership': Racing, led by former NC Courage stars, pushing for first NWSL playoff berth

High school recruiting: Bullitt East's Luke Renfrow commits to Eastern Kentucky; U of L offers Frederick Douglass' Cooper Ranvier

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by samantha (@samantha.wozniakk)

Kentucky high school sports records: 5 KHSAA performances we believe will never be broken

Mark your calendars

  • The Louisville Slugger Museum will hold its annual fundraiser from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday. This year's fundraiser centers around "The Sandlot," the iconic 90s comedy. Cast members from the film will be on hand for photo opportunities and a raffle will be held to win limited-edition items. All ticket sales directly benefit the Play Forever Project, which aims to reduce barriers preventing children from playing or being involved in sports.

  • The Louisville Bats will host a "kids day" on Sunday at Louisville Slugger Field during its game against the Indianapolis Indians. Cast members from "The Sandlot" also will attend the contest.

  • Racing Louisville FC is on the road at 3:30 p.m. Saturday to face OL Reign in Seattle.

  • Louisville City FC also is away from home, traveling to Pennsylvania to take on Riverhounds SC at Highmark Stadium in Pittsburgh at 7 p.m. Saturday.

Candyce Wheeler: Former U of L star looks to put Butler girls basketball back on map

'It's just baffling': Assumption girls basketball coach Stacy Pendleton out after 5 seasons

Play of the week: Elly De La Cruz's torrid MLB start continues with Cincinnati Reds' first cycle in more than three decades

Cincinnati Reds third baseman Elly De La Cruz (44) reaches second on a double in the second inning of Friday's MLB baseball game between the Reds and the Atlanta Braves at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on June 23, 2023.
Cincinnati Reds third baseman Elly De La Cruz (44) reaches second on a double in the second inning of Friday's MLB baseball game between the Reds and the Atlanta Braves at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on June 23, 2023.

The scintillating start to Elly De La Cruz's MLB career continued Friday night against the Atlanta Braves. Cruz, who started the season with the Louisville Bats and was promoted to the major leagues earlier this month, has quickly made a name for himself in Cincinnati. He hit for the cycle in the Reds' 11-10 victory over the Braves at Great American Ballpark.

De La Cruz became only the seventh Reds player to ever notch a cycle, and the first since Eric Davis on June 2, 1989.

De La Cruz also is just the third player in MLB history to hit for the cycle within the first 15 games of his career; Friday was his 15th appearance. The only players who took fewer games to accomplish the feat: Cliff Heathcoate (six) and Gary Ward (14).

Each week we'll highlight what's going on in and around Louisville, from high school to pro sports, in our "Starting 5." Got a story to tell or a play of the week? Tweet at us @CJ_Sports. Reach Kentucky men’s basketball and football reporter Ryan Black at rblack@gannett.com and follow him on Twitter at @RyanABlack.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: St. Xavier High School in US Olympic trials; Lou City roster addition